May is a magical month in Maine (hence the picture of elves dancing around a maypole). Maine's Senior Colleges are manifesting the Spring spirit as well. In fact, you will need a calendar handy as you read through this month's issue. Here is just a quick look at the upcoming offerings:

This issue also reports on three noteworthy Senior College classes.Bridgton Senior College is currently running a fascinating class on William Faulkner's "Light in August" and discussions cover how relevant his work is today in the light of events in Ferguson and Baltimore. Western Mountains Senior College has taken an interesting spin on health and wellness by focussing on the Joy of Living. Their program included yodeling and yoga! And Acadia Senior College studied the "Russian Masters" prior to attending a Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

Finally, if you do go looking for elves among the spring flowers make sure that you check for deer ticks afterwards! According to the CDC "Lyme disease is most common in adults 65 and over and children between the ages of 5 and 15."

Could a novel written in 1932 have the ability to presage events happening in the United States today and electrify present-day readers in Bridgton? Author William Faulkner's "Light in August" could. Faulkner writes about life in the small town of Jefferson, Mississippi. His novel foretells that long after the Civil War was over racial prejudice remained a lingering menace that overshadowed life there. Some of the feelings and topics he outlined in his work from over eighty years ago are unfortunately still with us today.

"Light in August" is about a young pregnant woman who travels through the south looking for her vanished lover. Violent activity follows when an old mansion burns down and the woman inside is found murdered. Faulkner shows in his novel how long- harbored racial inequality and motives direct actions that lead to the tragic life and death of one of the novel's key characters Joe Christmas.

Senior College at Bridgton instructors Ken Gibbs and Father Craig Hacker may have been surprised by the strong reactions their class evoked to Faulkner's images about life so long ago when they began teaching the novel last week. Students here in Bridgton, some from the South, voiced their thoughts about Faulkner's work. They felt that the feelings and topics he outlined in his work are too often still prevalent and may be contributing to some of the law enforcement debacles we are seeing in the news today. The class will continue for the next three weeks.

Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi, in 1897 and his underlying racially-toned upbringing in the Deep South is featured through all his work including "Sanctuary", "As I Lay Dying", Absalom! Absalom! and "Go Down Moses".

In 1949 Faulkner won the Nobel Prize for his work, long after "Light in August" was published. It wasn't until he received this award that he began to receive sufficient notice and monetary rewards for his work. Later he wrote "Intruder in the Dust", "Requiem for a Nun", and a sequel to "Sanctuary". His work is not forgotten and is still relevant today as the students in the Senior College at Bridgton class are discovering. Faulkner died in Oxford, Mississippi on July 6, 1962.

"Don't fret over regrets - get over them!" "At our ages, we all have our own individual challenges but have the ability of taking charge of our lives." "Stop saving our best things for special occasions - use that fancy china and celebrate the ordinary times of our lives." "Realize that the happier you are, the more you have to give to others." These are just some of the unique perspectives on life and aging delivered by Ellen Crocker, one of a trio of presenters who

presented the recent Joyful Living program at WMSC. Ellen opened the program and her focus was aimed at addressing the challenges of achieving joy and identifying what we can do to enhance our lives.

Ellen was followed by Jewel Clark who managed to get the large audience yodeling (yes, yodeling!) and clapping to the sounds of her musical offerings. She talked about the legacy her parents left and the influence it had on her life. She shared songs she has written and had everyone yodeling, even when we didn't realize we were doing it at first. It was a lively and entertaining interlude and lifted everyone's spirits.

The final presenter, Yoga instructor Karen Swanson, had us stretching and relaxing and learning to embrace our inner selves. Once we were relaxed, she played music and encouraged us to dance to the beat both by ourselves and with a partner. This was a wonderful way to end the evening and we all left relaxed and happy!

Members of Acadia Senior College (ASC) and guests had an exciting opportunity to learn about "Russian Masters" prior to attending a Bangor Symphony Orchestra performance in March. ASC instructor Bob Gallon, along with BSO conductor Lucas Richman, gave an informative and entertaining introduction to this exciting musical offering. And BSO director Brian Hinrichs was on hand to tell more about the orchestra and its upcoming programs.

Bob, who is a tuba player in the BSO and has taught many classes on music for ASC, told the audience present at Birch Bay Village in Bar Harbor about the lives, challenges, and musical contributions of Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and Schedrin, the Russian Masters of this program. Lucas, having a unique perspective as orchestra conductor, familiarized us with special aspects and passages of the music itself. Both presenters used recordings to illustrate their points. So those who attended this "prelude" event were able to appreciate Sunday's performance and understand the musical language and the stories behind the concert pieces.

May 8th : Food for Thought at USM's Lewiston-Auburn Senior College Presents:

The Human Spaceflight--Where Have We Been and Where are We Going?

Captain Rick Hauck

The May 8 Food for Thought Presentation at USM's Lewiston-Auburn Senior College will have a special guest like no other in its close-to-two-decades-history. Captain Rick Hauck US Navy Retired, NASA Astronaut will discuss his role in "The Human Spaceflight--Where Have We Been and Where are We Going?"

As always, the public is cordially invited. Early reservations are encouraged as a capacity attendance is expected.

Captain Hauck will recount the 60's and 70's when the United States celebrated the success of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, highlighted by the mission of Apollo 11 and its crew of Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, the latter two stepping on the moon. During the next four decades, the space shuttle flew 135 flights before its retirement in 2011.

In May 2012, the first commercially built and operated rocket docked with the International Space Station (ISS), and in June of last year the Chinese sent three "taikonauts" to their own orbiting space station. Meanwhile, NASA is paying the Russians $60 million to launch each of our astronauts to the ISS. What (if anything) is next for the United States' manned spaceflight program?

Seniors will have the opportunity to experience the oldest urban park in the nation, when York County Senior College visits Lowell National History Park, home of the Boott Textile Museum and the Mill Girl Museum.

The Boott Cotton Mills (above) were once at the center of the Lowell textile industry. The museum provides visitors with a glimpse into that rich history, including running, industrial-grade looms and other authentic equipment. The "Mill Girls" who worked in the factory in harsh conditions were housed in the Boardinghouse, part of the visit that brings to life the difficulty of living and working in the 19th century manufacturing era. A trolley tour helps showcase the diversity of Lowell's history and how immigrants and manufacturing helped to shape the city itself.

Cost

The cost for the trip is $25 for Senior College members (including admission to museums and the trolley tour), and $35 for non-members. (Lunch at one of the many local restaurants is not included.)

Space is limited, and the deadline for reservations is May 12. The bus to Lowell will make pick-ups in Saco and Wells.

The history of Maine is closely tied to its natural resources; forests, farms and oceans. For generations, Mainers have relied on them to provide their livelihood. However, over the past several centuries, Maine's economy, largely based on these resources, has experienced a slow but inexorable decline. A heartening development, however, has been the renaissance in farming, stimulated by the warming climate and the locavore movement. This year's Summer Wisdom lecture series will explore the present and future status of Maine's natural resources in the light of global climate change.

The Bass Shoe Factory, Wilton. ME

JUNE 3. 7:30 PM

"MAINE'S ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE"

Fifty years ago, Maine was faced with the loss of its leather and textile industries, challenges of agricultural runoff threatening water quality throughout the state, a deadly insect infestation in the spruce-fir forest that threatened the forest products industry, and the devastating impact of foreign factory ships on the offshore fisheries. At this time the Maine Times created a non-profit arm, The Allagash Group, headed by our speaker to create an alternative sustainable economic vision for Maine. The result was The Maine Manifest, published in 1972. In this lecture, Barringer will look back on where we have come since then with respect to Maine's natural resources.

RICHARD BARRINGER served in the administrations of three Maine governors as Commissioner of Conservation and Director of State Planning and is the author of landmark Maine laws in the areas of environment, energy, land use and economic development. Upon leaving state government, he founded the Muskie School of Public Service at USM, where he is now Professor Emeritus.

The Jordan River, Raymond ME

JUNE 10, 7:30 PM

"CLIMATE CHANGE AND MAINE'S FORESTS: WHAT WE KNOW AND DON'T KNOW"

Maine's climate has changed. The footprints are there in temperature and rainfall records, in ice-outs, and migration dates of birds. Although interpretation of these footprints is elusive, scientists predict further change, toward a warmer, wetter world for Maine's forests, whose impacts cannot be foreseen or predicted. This lecture will explore the difficulty of these predictions.

LLOYD C. IRLAND, based in Wayne, Maine has done consulting work and lecturing in several countries around the world. He attended the U.N. Forum on Forests 10th session in Istanbul, as well as the Copenhagen and Cancun global climate summits. He holds a PhD from Yale and is the author of 5 books and over 300 articles.

Vessel Launching at Rockland, ME

JUNE 24, 7:30 PM

"THE GULF OF MAINE AS THE FRONTLINE OF A CHANGING GLOBAL CLIMATE"

The Gulf of Maine is noticeably warmer than it was a few decades ago, and much of this warming has happened in the last few years. The lecture will deal with how global climate change and natural climate variability both contribute to the warming in the Gulf of Maine, how it is impacting natural resources and how fisheries in the region are adapting to these changes.

ANDREW J. PERSHING is Chief Scientific Officer and Ecosystem Modeler at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. He holds an ScB in Aquatic Biology from Brown University and a Ph.D in Geology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University.

Higgins Farm, Higgins Beach, ME

JULY 1, 7:30 PM

"GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND A SHIFT IN FOOD PRODUCTION-IS MAINE TO BECOME A BREADBASKET OF THE U.S.?"

This discussion will include a look at how Maine has changed from producing nearly 90% of its own food needs as late as the mid 1900s to now providing less than 20%; and a look at what global climate change and a focused effort on local farms/local food may do to bring economic growth and more food self-sufficiency to Maine.

TOM SETTLEMIRE is Professor Emeritus of Biology and Chemistry, Bowdoin College. He received his BS and MS degrees from Ohio State and holds a PhD in biochemistry from North Carolina State University. He is past president of the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust and is an active leader in the local farm/food movement.

College of the Atlantic, in Bar Harbor, Maine, invites you to participate in an outstanding five-day summer program of learning and recreation on the beautiful coast of Maine. Based at the College's waterfront campus, the residential program offers stimulating lectures and discussion, field trips to lovely nearby locations, and delicious meals in the campus dining room. During your stay, you will have ample free time to explore Acadia National Park and the charming communities on Mount Desert Island. We hope you will join us for a unique program designed to engage your mind and refresh your spirit.

At The Best of Acadia Retreat, you will join with other life-long learners and thoughtful citizens deeply interested in the world. The program host, Ted Koffman, will facilitate daily activities and serve as your guide and assistant. Ted, a former Maine State Representative and retired Maine Audubon Executive Director, will join you each day for a substantive talk with expert speakers, co-sponsored by Acadia Senior College. You will also enjoy community meals with wholesome cuisine, and take guided local adventures, exploring the best that Mount Desert Island has to offer-the special places of Acadia National Park, top-notch museums, historical gardens, and the spectacular seascapes of Frenchman's Bay.

A video for those of you who enjoyed the Joyful Living Program at Western Mountains Senior College and would like to learn to yodel.

"How to Yodel" with Beth Williams

Inspect and Protect

Spring is here, so it's time to think about the outdoors and proper protection against ticks. Maine had more than over 1,395 cases of Lyme disease reported in 2014, a number that continues to increase yearly. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and we want to remind you the importance of daily tick checks and encourage the "inspect and protect" prevention strategy.

Ticks are primarily active in warmer months. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is caused by a bite from an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). In Maine, Lyme disease is most common in adults 65 and over and children between the ages of 5 and 15, but anyone can get the disease. Individuals who work or play outside are more likely to be exposed to ticks. The most common and visible symptom of Lyme disease is a red bulls-eye rash that grows and appears within 3-30 days of exposure. Other symptoms may include fevers, and joint or muscle pain.

Lyme disease is treatable and most individuals recover completely with a proper drugs. However, the easiest way to avoid the disease is prevention, using "No Ticks 4 ME":

1) Use caution in tick infested areas

2) Wear protective clothing

3) Use an EPA approved repellant

4) Perform daily tick checks after any outdoor activity

A tick must be attached for a minimum of 24 hours before the infection can be passed on, further stressing the need for prompt and proper tick removal. If you are bitten by a tick, or work in a known tick habitat, watch for symptoms for up to 30 days, and call a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Deer ticks can transmit not only Lyme disease, but also two other tick-borne infections that are endemic in Maine: anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Cases of both these diseases are on the rise in Maine, as cases of anaplasmosis doubled for the second year in a row and cases of babesiosis increased from 2013. The majority of tick-borne illnesses occur during the summer months when ticks and humans are active outdoors.

Now you can "like" Maine Senior College Network on Facebook. We've created an MSCN page on Facebook, so please visit it to share experiences, ideas, photos, and information about upcoming Maine Senior College happenings. We'll also post links to articles about lifelong learning and other topics relevant to senior college members.